Record Store Day slate

Record Store Day’s 2026 drop lands Saturday, April 18, with limited vinyl releases headed only to participating independent shops at opening time. (recordstoreday.com) Record Store Day’s organizers say the special titles are sold through brick-and-mortar stores, not through the event’s own website, and stores choose their own orders title by title. Unsold copies can start appearing on store websites on Sunday, April 19. (recordstoreday.com) The official 2026 list includes releases tied to Taylor Swift, Robert Plant, the Grateful Dead and Charli XCX, part of a wider slate that Record Store Day published this week for the April 18 event. Record Store Day also named Robert Plant its 2026 “Record Store Legend.” (recordstoreday.com 1) (recordstoreday.com 2) The event is built around scarcity. Record Store Day says this year’s slate is split into “Exclusive,” “RSD First,” and “Small Run/Regional” releases, with the last category covering pressings under 1,000 copies or titles aimed at specific markets. (recordstoreday.com) That format pushes demand into local stores on one morning. Record Store Day says most shops will not stock every title, because each store decides what to bring in and there is no minimum order requirement. (recordstoreday.com) In Worcester, England, Spin The Black Circle told Worcester News it expects heavy demand and will carry more than 350 limited-edition records for the day. The paper said music fans were expected to queue in the hundreds. (worcesternews.co.uk) In the Baltimore area, Trax on Wax said it will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, an hour earlier than usual for the event. Owner Gary Gebler told WBAL that the first 50 people in line are expected to get limited bags. (wbaltv.com) Record Store Day began in 2007 as an idea from independent record store owners and employees, and the first event was held on April 19, 2008. The organization now says nearly 1,400 independently owned stores in the United States and thousands more internationally take part. (recordstoreday.com) For shoppers, the practical rule is simple: show up early, and do not assume your local store has the release you want. Record Store Day’s own guidance says the list is a guide, not a guarantee. (recordstoreday.com)